Annual Planning Meeting – 2019

Posted on 11/10/2019 by Webmaster

November 10, 2019

Thirty DVCers made their way to the Cawthorne Estate to make plans for 2020 – our 50th year as a club.  After the usual preliminary chit chat and hugs, we settled down for our annual business discussion and planning of fun for the new year.  

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Lew Phillips who started things off by displaying a beautiful custom, hand crafted, mahogany box with walnut trim to house our unique gavel and block.  The box was made to honor our 50th anniversary.

All meeting minutes (general and board) will be presented in the ‘members’ section of the website.  (So, members should head over there to get the details and ‘member’ stuff.)  In the meantime… here are some highlights from the meeting itself…

  • While many clubs and organizations are hurting badly for money, we are fortunate enough to be able to hold our annual dues at $20/yr.
  • Membership dues are currently due and need to be paid before 1/1/2020 to stay current.
  • We have a new regalia store set up!  Members can now get tons of different items with our logo screen printed or embroidered.  Links are on the website.
  • Speaking of the website… In honor of the 50th, the site will be heading into the garage over the winter for an upgrade.  (Suggestions are encouraged.)
  • A new set of Guidelines and Job Descriptions was unveiled and are available on the website in the ‘Members’ area.

With the heavier business stuff out of the way, we headed on to the more fun part of the meeting… planning for the 50th.  Here are some of the highlights…

  • A 50th anniversary version of the logo is in the works.  (It is now done and at the top of this article.)
  • The theme this coming year will be ‘Driving’… “Driving into the next 50 years!”  We plan to have a lot of driving events and several overnighters.
  • Three key events are already planned…
    • Anniversary Party – March 7, 2020 at the Red Horse Motor Club in Pottstown, PA
    • Our Car Show – August 1, 2020 at Pennypacker Mills in Schwenksville, PA
    • Holiday Party – December 5, 2020 at the Bay Pony Inn in Lederach, PA
  • We are planning on kicking all of our events up a notch.  We would greatly appreciate RSVPs to the events (and let us know if you aren’t coming, too) so that our hosts can properly plan.  With a lot of driving events, we need RSVPs so that we don’t leave you behind!  We will be putting up sign-up sheets on the website for everyone’s convenience.
  • We then brainstormed and came up with a lot of great events for 2020!  They will soon be posted on the website.  It looks like it will be a terrific year with a lot to do.

Finally done with the annual ‘business and planning stuff’, the gang feasted on a variety of hoagies and other goodies.  And of course… more chit chat before people started to head back home.

The DVC thanks Pat and Patty for their hospitality and thanks the members who came out to share ideas and volunteer to run events.  Participation and creativity is what keeps the club strong and growing… into the next 50 years!

Meeting adjourned… Let the fun resume!

— Lew Phillips

Share
Posted in DVC Hosted, Events | Comments Off on Annual Planning Meeting – 2019

The Great Pumpkin Tour – 2019

Posted on 10/26/2019 by Webmaster

Web_201910_Pumpkin_20191026-200715 October 26, 2019

Cool, crisp eather and fall foliage made for perfect MG top-down driving.  About a dozen MGs and their occupants, along with a few daily drivers met at the Suffredini home for the DVC Pumpkin Tour.

Three small groups of four to five cars each started out on a planned, back-roads tour of middle Bucks County.  With a few stops along the way, it seems that the Pumpkin Tour turned out to be an Ice Cream Tour.

Thank goodness for GPS when we happened onto an unexpected detour.  (Dick swears it was open earlier.)  Only one MG mishap, but you’ll have to wait for the Anniversary Party “O-wards” to get the details.

With the cars returning back at Suffredini’s, the usual DVC party began.  The food that DVCers bring to a party is always outstanding… and this time was no exception.  Sandy, with her recent foot surgery, had plenty of help in the kitchen from the DVC ladies.  For some odd reason, the guys seemed to gravitate to Dick’s MG garage and mancave. 

As darkness fell, leave had to be blown off of a few MGs before departing for home.  Here’s to seeing everyone during the DVC’s 50th Anniversary Year celebrations!

Those attending were… Adam & Eva Ilnicki (MGTD), Warren & Nancy Dorner (MGB), Tom & Jaimee Rippert (MGA), Pat & Patty Cawthorne (MGA), Graham & Susan Gill (MGTD), Jim & Diane Sanders (MGA), Louise Story (MGB), Peter & Nancy Yaskowski (MGA), Jeff & Robin Rose (MGBGT V8), Brian Gumpert (MGB), Dave Sarley (MGTC), Dick & Sandy Suffredini (MGA), Greg & Janice Lake, Lew & Cora Phillips.

— Dick Suffredini

 

Share
Posted in DVC Hosted, Events, Pictures | Comments Off on The Great Pumpkin Tour – 2019

Radnor Hunt – 2019

Posted on 09/14/2019 by Webmaster

Web_201909_Radnor_20190907-051433 September 7, 2019

The Radnor Hunt Club Cars and Coffee, sponsored by RDS Automotive Group, had the following members representing the DVC: Dave and Erin Alderfer, Brian Gumpert (photographer), Curtis Yocum, Dick & Sandy Sufferdini, Warren & Nancy Doerner, Louise Story & guest John Petraglia.  Since this event was almost canceled by the Concours, RDS Automotive stepped in the last minute to save it.  This had an effect on the parking arrangements for our MG’s, so we each had to find our own parking space.  With the due diligence of Dick, Sandy, Warren, and Nancy, we found each other and grouped at the send-off point for the Concours Rally – which by that time was just about completed.  Louise’s son and his friend participated in the Rally in a 2008 Lotus.

Curtis, Dick, and Sandy headed off in a different direction and we caravanned to Chanticleer.  It was a perfect day for a picnic and it appeared we were ahead of the crowd. Brian took pictures to document the walk through the gardens as the specimen trees and plants were joyfully showing us their lush end of summer growth.

By 2:30 P.M. we had packed up our stuff and headed for home … weary, yes, but inspired by the beautiful surroundings filling us with peaceful serenity.

— Louise Story

 

Share
Posted in DVC Hosted, Events, Pictures | Comments Off on Radnor Hunt – 2019

15th Annual Car Show – 2019

Posted on 08/09/2019 by Webmaster

 August 3, 2019

Web_201908_Car_Show_20190803-023056 The past fourteen Pennypacker Mills Car Show have had their ups and downs in regards to weather and the size of car fields.  For the 15th edition, one would have to say it was more up.  Yes, it was bit warmer and humid than perhaps preferred but the fine day did help bring in one of the largest entries totals that have come in the past number of years with 85 examples of British motorcars and motorcycles.

Some of the more unusual entries included a 1973 Land Rover driven in by Richard Williamson.  He included documentation of the vehicle on a trek in Africa.  A 1954 Sunbeam Talbot brought in by Joe McConlowe of Harrisburg, PA turned some heads along with a beautiful 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith owned by Steven Sokoloft of Ardmore, PA.

After a couple of hours of taking in all the cars and what Pennypacker Mills had to offer in their “Good Old Summertime” day, the voting was finished. Bill Boorse did an excellent job handing out the door prizes and the award ceremony and the cars headed back to their homes.

Our friends at British Marque Car Club News once again bestowed on us the honor of selecting a recipient for their coveted “British Marque Favourite Award”. We sent out two of our top judges (thanks, Tom & Dick!) to find a car that is truly loved, driven, and enjoyed by its owner. This year, the award goes to a pretty cream and black 1961 Austin Healy 3000 owned by Ben and Cyndi Nolan.

Ben and Cyndi have owned the car for roughly 30 years, buying it to celebrate their 20th anniversary. While it was used from time to time over the years, it recently rose to the top of their list and underwent restoration. Glad to have it back out on the road in all of its glory, our lovely couple took it out for its inaugural spin through the picturesque roads of Lancaster County. As they crossed one of the area’s covered bridges they sensed something strange had happened – seems they lost the exhaust system! A noisy ride home and reattachment, and she was good as new again.

Soon after that incident, they were found themselves on their way from New Jersey to Iowa for the NAMGAR National Meet – this time in their MGA. While out in Iowa, they heard an unfamiliar sound. It seems that MGA had heard of the exhaust system incident and wanted to do them one better – the fan blade had broken and embedded itself in their radiator! Not to be deterred, some fellow British car enthusiasts came to their aid. Quick work was made of the blown-out radiator and they were soon back on the road.

It only takes a few minutes talking with Ben and Cyndi to see that they obviously love owning and using this sweet Healy. Congratulations! May you have many more years behind the wheel.

One thing that has remained consistent throughout the years has been the speed and efficiency of the set-up and takedown of the show field. For that, great thanks go to all who helped.  Of course, the reward of a party at “Sally World” at the end of the day is certainly a big incentive to quickly wrap things up.

2019 Car Show Winners:

Class I – Austin Healey 100-4, 100-6, 3000, Jensen Healey
               First – Ben and Cyndi Nolan Elmer, NJ 1961 Austin Healey 3000 #176

Class II – Austin Healey Sprite
               First – John Kruczek Schnecksville, PA 1966 Sprite #161

Class III – Triumph TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4 IRS
               First – Bob and Tina Krivenko Mt. Holly Springs, PA 1957 TR3 #126

Class IV – Triumph TR250, TR6, TR7, TR8
               First – Robert Ruby Schwenksville, PA 1971 TR6 #154
               Second – Kevin and Olga Kelly Absecon, NJ 1968 TR250 #145

Class V – Triumph Spitfire, GT6, Stag
               First – Michael McGowan Nazareth, PA 1974 Spitfire #178

Class VI – Jaguar Pre-war Roadsters, XK120, XK 140, XK150
               No Entries

Class VII – Jaguar XKE Roadsters, Coupes, XJS
               First – Kevin Fitzgerald Green Lane, PA 1969 E-type #158

Class VIII – Jaguar Sedans, Rolls Royce, Bentleys (Vintage & Modern)
               First – Tony Lam Green Lane, PA 1962 Jaguar Mark II #151

Class IX – Mini Classic & Modern
               No Entries

Class X – MG Pre 1956 Roadster, Sedan, Magnette & Variant
               First – Lee Ahren Reading, PA 1937 TA #144
               Second – Tony Rizzello Milford, NJ 1955 TF

Class XI – MGA Roadster, Coupe, Twin Cam, Magnette & Variant
               First  – Herb Todd Audubon, PA 1959 Roadster #115
               Second – Bill Boorse Perkiomanville, PA 1957 Coupe #179

Class XII – Chrome Bumper MGB, MGC & MGBV8 Tourer, GT & Modified
               First – Gloria Ciarrocci Lancaster, PA 1970 MGB #138
               Second – Bill Goble Ottsville, PA 1967 MGB #109
               Third – Bruce Swanson Fleetwood, PA 1974 BGT #143

Class XIII – Rubber Bumper MGB, MGC & MGBV8, Tourer, GT & Modified
               First – Tom Boorse North Wales, PA 1980 MGB #105
               Second – Stacey Curry Landenberg, PA 1979 MGB #147
               Third – James Schulte Harleysville, PA 1974.5 BGT #107

Class XIV – MG Midget Chrome & Rubber Bumper & Modified
               First – Rich Persico Philadelphia, PA 1966 Midget

Class XV – Morgan & Daimler
               No Entries

Class XVI – Miscellaneous British Roadsters & Racers
               First – Lori Noyes Brownstown, PA 1965 Sunbeam Tiger #163

Class XVII – Miscellaneous British Coupes, Sedans, Saloons & Utility Vehicles
               First – Joe McConlowe Harrisburg, PA 1954 Sunbeam-Talbot #134
               Second- Michael Stein Langhorne, PA 2007 Aston Martin DB9 Volante #137
               Third- Steven Sokoloff Ardmore, PA 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith #164

Class XVIII – British Bikes
               First – Don Kuterbach Collegeville, PA 1971 Triumph Bonneville #184

Best Attending Club – Philadelphia MG

Diamond in the Rough – Martin Camoran Abington, PA 1970 MGB #175

Ladies’ Choice – Kevin Fitzgerald Green Lane, PA 1969 E-type #158

Best in Show – Lee Ahrens, Reading, PA;   1937 MG TA #148

British Marque Favourite Award – Ben and Cyndi Nolan Elmer, NJ 1961 Austin Healey 3000 #176


— Paul Phillips & Lew Phillips

 

Share
Posted in DVC Hosted, Events, Pictures | Comments Off on 15th Annual Car Show – 2019

Hornsby Rallye – 2019

Posted on 07/24/2019 by Webmaster

201907_Hornsby_20190713-150742 July 13, 2019

The 2019 Hornsby Rallye was held on July 13th and ended with a beautiful picnic at the home of Dave and Karen Paul. Participating in the rallye in MGTDs were Pat and Patty Cawthorne, Adam and Eva Ilnicki, Tom and Jamie Rippert, and Dick and Sandy Suffredini. Tony and Diane Rosello drove their MG TF and Dave and Erin Alderfer their MGB. Dave and Karen Paul were hosts of the picnic and Jim and Diane Sanders were Rallye Masters. Riley Binder and Parker Cury were guest participants driving a Mini Cooper Sport.

The Rallye was a 90-minute course through the rolling hills of Bucks, Berks and Hunterdon counties. Horse country and historic sites were features. This was combined with challenging questions to answer. As they wound through Durham, Pa, the participants passed a “Bat Mine” and a Durham Boat. The “Bat Mine” is an abandoned iron mine once supplying ore for the Durham Furnace for producing cannon balls for George Washington’s Army. The boat was a true replica of those used during the Revolutionary War. The design of these riverboats was ideal for ferrying the cannonballs produced at the furnace and for transporting George Washington and his troops on the sometimes treacherous Delaware. This boat was used for a number of years in the annual December 25th Washington Crossing the Delaware event at Washington’s Crossing, PA.

All finished the rallye successfully although it is rumored that a resident horse from one of the surrounding farms was borrowed for a tow. Adam and Eva were the first to finish but had the lowest written score as they did not answer any of the questions.

Tony and Diane had the highest written score but the lowest time score, resulting in being squeezed out of third place by a tiebreaker. Riley and Parker had the highest combined score but were not eligible to place as they were invited guests. But winners were eventually found. The winners in order from first to third were Dave and Erin Alderfer, Pat and Patty Cawthorne and Dick and Sandy Suffredini. The Hornsby cup, awarded to the best finish in a T-series car, was won by Pat and Patty. After the rallye all enjoyed food and beverage at the home of Dave and Karen and discussed plans for a 2020 rallye.

— James E. Sanders 

 

Share
Posted in DVC Hosted, Pictures | Comments Off on Hornsby Rallye – 2019